Fleurie
Fleurie
One of the ten appellations that have earned their right to label their wines Beaujolais Cru, Fleurie is one of the better known Beaujolais appellations. All of the Beaujolais Crus are within a zone of steep hills in the north of the region, and Fleurie is at the centre of this steep undulating area. Beaujolais' key distinction from the rest of Burgundy is the volcanic granite that forms the base of its soils, and Fleurie is no exception. Topsoils are variable, with coarse sand on the higher slopes and denser clay soils further down, leading to different styles of wine. The moderate continental climate of Fleurie sees high sunshine hours and a cooling effect from the Mediterranean, which prolongs the ripening period and brings the wine balance and natural acidity. Gamay from Fleurie can be produced in a light, fruity Nouveau style, though with a marked quality improvement on the lower-classed vineyards, through to long-ageing expressions with good concentration and a floral, deep-fruited character.
